Roo MacNaughton

Overruled Julian Porter's objection. Faisal Joseph can now ask a Koranic scholar about his opinions about modern journalism -- outside of his expertise.

It's a setback, if you think that the Roos are the place where this will be decided. In fact, when the Roos convict Maclean's, this and all of the other rejected Maclean's objections will be grounds for appeal.

An interesting note, though: Just before the Roos took their little hiatus, Faisal Joseph asked why Porter is objecting to such commentary by Rippin, but he didn't object when Awan the Liar did.

To which Porter replied that Awan was the complainant, and FJ would have been objecting ad nauseam had Porter tried to cork his client/witness/colleague/future employee.

FJ said "he's not the complainant". The first time that's been acknowledged in this hearing, or in the media.

Roo MacNaughton said that was a "distinction without a difference".

What a joke this tribunal is -- the Roos know Awan isn't a complainant, but they let him testify as if he was, to let the anti-Semitic bigot, Mohammed Elmasry, off the hook for doing so. A surrogate witness. What a legal novelty. What a legal joke.